DAC / Preamp after failure of Topping D90SE at 82 days

[Svensson]

Advice please on which SMSL DAC / Preamp to choose. The SU10, or the D400EX, or the D400ES, or other of similar capability. Great XLR output quality (power & SINAD) highest priority. LDAC is desireable but not essential. Two Topping failures in less than 8 months makes me nervous, so a company with great reliability also desired. Amp is Audiophonics HPA400ET, which was a revelation.

My very much loved Topping D90SE was 82 days old when it just stopped powering up. It replaced my Topping E50 which packed up after 2 months. My long lived E30 is now on secondment from the spare room.

 

[Snoopy]

I'm super happy with my smsl SP400 and D300. But I wouldn't use a digital volume control with a Poweramp.

There could always be a software glitch/update and you get 100% volume.

 

[Streamc]

Advice please on which SMSL DAC / Preamp to choose. The SU10, or the D400EX, or the D400ES, or other of similar capability. Great XLR output quality (power & SINAD) highest priority. LDAC is desireable but not essential. Two Topping failures in less than 8 months makes me nervous, so a company with great reliability also desired. Amp is Audiophonics HPA400ET, which was a revelation.

My very much loved Topping D90SE was 82 days old when it just stopped powering up. It replaced my Topping E50 which packed up after 2 months. My long lived E30 is now on secondment from the spare room.

Did you check fuse. I have D90LE. I replaced it. All works good. It was broken after 3days. I replaced it and all works good.

 

[Svensson]

Did you check fuse. I have D90LE. I replaced it. All works good. It was broken after 3days. I replaced it and all works good.

Sadly, not the fuse. I'd assumed it would be from a search online.

 

[HarmonicTHD]

Sadly, not the fuse. I'd assumed it would be from a search online.

Wow. When I read your story, this sucks big time. Sorry to hear. Maybe try some quality gear eg RME ? (At least they won’t leave you hanging if something happens).

 

[Streamc]

Sadly, not the fuse. I'd assumed it would be from a search online.

Sorry to hear that. I also have A90 and it works almost for 2 years. It's disappointing.

 

[restorer-john]

@Svensson You received a refund for the defective d90se, right?

SMSL is no better- you'd be much better off to buy some quality gear. Like @HarmonicTHD suggested- RME. Buy once and buy well.

 

[enricoclaudio]

Schiit Freya S + Modius Balanced DAC. 5 years warranty and US made. Nothing against China made electronics as I have lot of made in China equipment, including Topping and Matrix Audio electronics but looks like Topping is suffering lately of some QC issues because reports of failures have been increasing or at least popping up here and at some other forums.

 

[Svensson]

@HarmonicTHD @restorer-john I will certainly read more again about RME.
@Streamc @enricoclaudio I hadn't realised that Topping had started to show signs generally of issues, hopefully they resolve it soon as they really are highly rated and I have otherwise been very happy with the kit. Thankfully, whilst I couldn"t find a way to contact the seller, Amazon agreed to refund on return of the unit outside of the fixed returns window. It's being collected on Monday. Thank goodness as the cost loss would have been horrible.

I'll be widening my homework to RME, Schitt and others. This sort of homework can be fun.

 

[HarmonicTHD]

@HarmonicTHD @restorer-john I will certainly read more again about RME.
@Streamc @enricoclaudio I hadn't realised that Topping had started to show signs generally of issues, hopefully they resolve it soon as they really are highly rated and I have otherwise been very happy with the kit. Thankfully, whilst I couldn"t find a way to contact the seller, Amazon agreed to refund on return of the unit outside of the fixed returns window. It's being collected on Monday. Thank goodness as the cost loss would have been horrible.

I'll be widening my homework to RME, Schitt and others. This sort of homework can be fun.

Voila.

RME ADI-2 FS Version 2 DAC and Headphone Amp Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the updated version 2 of the RME ADI-2 FS DAC and headphone amplifier. It was kindly sent to me by the company. The cost us US $1,149. The ADI-2 looks very nice in black with a bright, super responsive display (doesn't come out as well in the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Blumlein 88]

Take a look at Okto Research DACs too.

Okto dac8 stereo DAC Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Okto dac8 stereo DAC. It was kindly sent to me by the company for review. It costs €1 089 from the company ($1,240 as of this writing). The version I have has the optional Raspberry Pi 4 module for streaming which costs an extra $89. Last I...

www.audiosciencereview.com

They have an 8 channel version.

Review and Measurements of Okto DAC8 8Ch DAC & Amp

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Okto Research DAC8 8-channel DAC and headphone amplifier. I was sent a prototype unit for measurements. From my understanding, the company has been producing the internal DAC module for a while for the DIY market. But now are building complete...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Tom C]

For real. Benchmark or RME. I’ve had some disappointments in Schiit. Not outright failures, but hum/buzz from amp, and less than stellar performing preamp. They make some quality stuff for reasonable price, but you have to choose carefully.

 

[enricoclaudio]

I was going to recommend Benchmark but not sure if price is a deal breaker for the OP. I recently got delivery of a HPA4 and my only regret is why I waited so long to purchase it.

 

[Sokel]

Take a look at Okto Research DACs too.

Okto dac8 stereo DAC Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Okto dac8 stereo DAC. It was kindly sent to me by the company for review. It costs €1 089 from the company ($1,240 as of this writing). The version I have has the optional Raspberry Pi 4 module for streaming which costs an extra $89. Last I...

www.audiosciencereview.com

They have an 8 channel version.

Review and Measurements of Okto DAC8 8Ch DAC & Amp

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Okto Research DAC8 8-channel DAC and headphone amplifier. I was sent a prototype unit for measurements. From my understanding, the company has been producing the internal DAC module for a while for the DIY market. But now are building complete...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I love it (looks too) but too many reports for burned screens after a year or so.
I would consider buying 2-3 spare ones right on initial purchase.
I would also have a look at interfaces like MOTU,their ADC may come handy some times setting up your gear.

 

[Trell]

I love it (looks too) but too many reports for burned screens after a year or so.
I would consider buying 2-3 spare ones right on initial purchase.

I would be hesitant as well of a DAC with an OLED display for long term use. I don’t want to “babysit” my use of the display.

 

[Trell]

Wow. When I read your story, this sucks big time. Sorry to hear. Maybe try some quality gear eg RME ? (At least they won’t leave you hanging if something happens).

I’ve two RME devices that I’m very satisfied with, but like all manufacturers even they have problematic batches at times, which they do fix as they don’t release a new similar product every six months.

RME do take care of their customers when there’re problems, though. Support their devices with drivers for literally decades and have excellent and comprehensive manuals.

 

[TonyJZX]

two topping devices dead in such a short time

lets see how these companies take care of a customer who has spend well over $1,000 on their gear

<laugh cry>

 

[Rover]

I used an RME ADI 2 DAC FS that broke down after a couple of weeks.I made a refund, but I don't want to contact RME.Any device can break, regardless of the manufacturer.

 

[enricoclaudio]

Sure, even RME devices could fail. In fact, my RME Fireface UCX II had the front screen with a crack so I contacted Synthax (RME service center in the US) and in 24 hours I had an advanced replacement shipped to me at no cost with the returning shipping label included for the bad unit. The problem is not about failing units, it’s more about how the manufacture handles the replacements under and out of warranty and how fast and easy the process is done for the customer.

 

[Trell]

I used an RME ADI 2 DAC FS that broke down after a couple of weeks.I made a refund, but I don't want to contact RME.Any device can break, regardless of the manufacturer.

You usually contact the seller first, not the manufacturer. When that fails you can do so and for RME the are a number of examples on their forum that they help the customers.